Panel for indicating instrument, method of manufacturing the panel, and indicating instrument having the panel

ABSTRACT

A panel for an indicating instrument has a base plate. The base plate has a line pattern with lines. The line pattern is defined by projections and grooves. A desired metal-like appearance is converted into a glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. The projections and grooves are formed at intervals and have at least one dimension in a direction perpendicular to the surface such that the surface has a predetermined glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. Gp is a glossiness measured in a direction parallel to an axis of at least one line. Gv is a glossiness measured in a direction perpendicular to an axis of at least one line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2005-181092 filed on Jun. 21, 2005, and No. 2005-299247 filed on Oct. 13, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is a division of co-pending Ser. No. 11/454,837 filed Jun. 19, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a panel having an ornamental line pattern, a method of manufacturing the panel and an indicating instrument having the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to form an ornamental line pattern on a resinous display panel of an indicating instrument such as by printing. For example, the line pattern forms a hair line figure having plural parallel lines or circles concentric with a rotation axis of a pointer of the indicating instrument. Alternatively, the line pattern is designed to radially extend from the rotation axis, like the rays of the sun.

This kind of ornamental line pattern is formed to improve an appearance of the resinous display panel. However, the appearance of the conventional resinous panel having such an ornamental line pattern is likely to be lower than an appearance of a metal panel.

Generally, an appearance is a sense of human sight. Therefore, it is generally difficult to directly apply a quality appearance such as a metal-like appearance to design parameters for designing the line pattern. Also, there is no disclosure about design parameters for improving the metal-like appearance with the line pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in view of the foregoing matter, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide a panel with an ornamental line pattern for an indicating instrument, which is capable of bringing a predetermined metal-like appearance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing the panel having the predetermined metal-like appearance.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide an indicating instrument having the panel.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a panel with an ornamental line pattern for an indicating instrument, which has light transmissivity, but capable of reducing uneven brightness on the panel.

According to a panel for an indicating instrument, a surface of a base plate has a line pattern with lines. The line pattern is defined by projections and grooves that are defined between adjacent projections. The projections and grooves are formed such that the surface of the panel has a predetermined glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. Gp is a glossiness measured in a direction parallel to an axis of the at least one line. Gv is a glossiness measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the at least one line.

A metal-like appearance, which is generally a sense of sight, can be converted into the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. Further, the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv is applied to parameters for designing the projections and grooves. Namely, the projections and grooves are formed such that the surface has a desired metal-like appearance. Accordingly, an appearance of the panel improves. This panel is, for example, employed as a display panel in an indicating instrument.

In a case that the projections and grooves are made of a material that allows light to pass therethrough, at least one of intervals of the projections and grooves and dimensions of the grooves and projections in a direction perpendicular to the surface is randomly varied. Accordingly, uneven brightness of the surface is reduced by a prism effect of the projection and grooves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numbers and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dial board of a combination meter according to a first example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the dial board denoted by an arrow II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dial board taken along a line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic sectional view of a base plate of the dial board, taken in a direction perpendicular to an axis of at least one projection formed on the base plate, for showing an examination procedure for measuring a glossiness Gv of a surface of the base plate in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the projection;

FIG. 4B is a schematic sectional view of the base plate, taken along a line IVB-IVB of FIG. 4A, for showing an examination procedure for measuring a glossiness Gp of the surface of the base plate in a direction parallel to an axis of at least one projection;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between the glossiness Gv and the glossiness Gp according to the examination shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the combination meter according to the first example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the base plate as a modification of the first example embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view of a base plate of the dial board according to a second example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the base plate denoted by an arrow IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a base plate as a comparison example to the base plate shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a dial board having the base plate shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a base plate as a modification of the base plate shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a dial board having a hair line pattern according to another modification of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a dial board having a radial line pattern as rays of the sun according to further another modification of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

A first example embodiment of a panel of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The panel of the present invention is, for example, employed as a dial board 2 of a vehicle combination meter 1.

The combination meter 1 is generally arranged in front of a driver's seat as an indicating instrument for indicating various information relating to a vehicle. The dial board 2 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, provided as a speed meter for indicating a speed of the vehicle. In the speed meter shown in FIG. 1, a pointer 3 is operated to rotate along a front surface of the dial board 2, so a driver can easily see the speed of the vehicle.

The dial board 2 is provided with lefters/numbers 21 and scales 22 for indicating the speed with the pointer 3. Further, the dial board 2 has an ornamental line pattern 23 with lines. The line pattern is formed to improve an appearance, i.e., to provide a quality metal-like appearance. The metal-like appearance generally provides a quality image and a sporty image. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the line pattern 23 is designed in circles concentric with a rotation axis of the pointer 3.

The dial board 2 has a base plate 20 made of resin such as a polycarbonate. The lines of the line pattern 23 are provided by projections and grooves formed on a surface of the base plate 20, which faces a driver. The letters/numbers 21 and the scales 22 are formed on the surface of the base plate 20 such as by printing or hot-stamping.

In the first example embodiment, the line pattern 23 is formed by projections projecting from the surface of the base plate 20. In a cross-sectional plane defined perpendicular to an axis of at least one line, each of the projections has a general triangular cross-section, as shown in FIG. 3. The adjacent projections extend side-by-side. When molding the base plate 20, a precision die having grooves is used. Thus, projections are formed at positions corresponding to the grooves of the die. Accordingly, the line pattern 23 is formed by transferring from the die.

The cross-sectional shape of the projections is not limited to the general triangular shape shown in FIG. 3. The projection can have a general semi-circular cross-sectional shape or a general rectangular cross-sectional shape, instead of the general triangular cross-sectional shape. Further, the line pattern 23 can be formed by grooves recessed from the surface of the base plate 20, instead of or together with the projections.

Also, the line pattern 23 can be formed by methods other than a die transferring. For example, the line pattern 23 can be printed by using a printing plate that can form projections and grooves (screen print). Alternatively, the line pattern 23 can be formed by hot-stamping using a transferring film and a precision die for thermally transferring the line pattern from the transferring film. Furthermore, the line pattern 23 can be formed by laminating, i.e., by adhering a film having the line pattern (thermo-compression bonding).

The line pattern 23 is not limited to the concentric circle design shown in FIG. 1. The line pattern 23 can be formed as a hair-line design having parallel lines, as shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, the line pattern 23 can be formed to radially extend from the rotation axis of the pointer 3 like the rays of the sun, as shown in FIG. 14.

As described above, the line pattern 23 is formed so as to provide a metal-like appearance on the dial board 2. However, an appearance of a surface or object is generally a sense of a human sight. Thus, it is difficult to directly apply the appearance to parameters for designing the line pattern. As such, a metal-like appearance, i.e., an appearance of a desired metal surface is first converted into numbers. Then, the numbers corresponding to the metal-like appearance is applied to parameters in designing the line pattern 23 so that the surface of the base plate 20 has such a metal-like appearance.

For example, the metal-like appearance is converted into a ratio of a glossiness Gp to a glossiness Gv. Here, the glossiness Gv is measured in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the at least one line of the line pattern 23. The glossiness Gp is measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the at least one line.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the glossiness Gv and the glossiness Gp are measured by using a gloss meter having a light source 11 and a receiver 12. Here, a gloss or brightness is a property of light that makes regular reflection on a surface, and the glossiness is defined by a degree of gloss or brilliancy.

The glossiness Gv and the glossiness Gp are calculated from a reflectance of the light emitted from the light source 11 on the base plate 20. The light emitted from the light source 11 is incident on the base plate 20 with an incidence angle θi and reflects with a reflection angle θr. The receiver 12 receives the reflected light and determines the reflectance of the light. Here, the incidence angle θi and the reflection angle θr are 60°, respectively.

FIG. 4A shows a condition for measuring the glossiness Gv. A plane of FIG. 4A is parallel to a cross-sectional plane that is defined perpendicular to the axis of at least one line. FIG. 4B shows a condition for measuring the glossiness Gp. A plane of FIG. 4B is perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane.

The glossiness is provided in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). When the incidence angle θi and the reflection angle θr are 60° on a glass surface having a refractive index of 1.567, 10% reflectance is defined as 100% glossiness. Further, when the incidence angle θi and the reflection angle θr are 20° on the glass surface, 5% reflectance is defined as 100% glossiness.

Generally, when a surface to be measured has a relatively high brightness, the glossiness is measured with a relatively small incidence angle θi and a relatively small reflection angle θr. On the contrary, when a surface to be measured has a relatively low brightness, the glossiness is measured with a relatively large incidence angle θi and a relatively larger reflection angle θr. The JIS decides a measuring angle as 20°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 85°. A gloss meter that has the measuring angle of 60° is widely used. Also, a gloss meter that has the measuring angle of 20° is used to measure a glossiness of a relatively bright surface.

In the first example embodiment, the glossiness Gv and the glossiness Gp of surfaces of various test subjects are measured by using a gloss meter having the measuring angle of 60° (Gloss Checker IG-320, HORIBA Ltd.). A graph of FIG. 5 shows measuring results. In FIG. 5, a horizontal axis represents the glossiness Gv and a vertical axis represents the glossiness Gp.

In FIG. 5, a group A1 represents results of a frosted resin base plate (dial board) without having a line pattern defined by grooves and projections. A group A2 represents results of a general resin base plate (dial board) having a conventional line pattern defined by grooves and projections. A group B1 represents results of an aluminum base plate (dial board) in which a line pattern defined by grooves and projections are formed in concentric circles. The aluminum base plate is processed by alumite, that is, has an anodic oxide coating.

Also, a group B2 represents results of an aluminum base plate (dial board) in which a line pattern defined by grooves and projections are formed in a hair line design. The aluminum base plate of the group B2 also has an anodic oxide coating. A group C represents results of a surface of an optical disc. On the surface of the optical disc, grooves for storing information are formed.

Further, the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv of the above measured objects is defined by a gradient of the graph. The glossiness ratio Gp/Gv of the groups B1 and B2 is in a range (Grt) between 1.5 and 2.2. The glossiness ratio Gp/Gv of the groups A1 and A2 is in a range between 0.9 and 1.2. The latter ratio is largely different from the former ratio. Also, the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv of the group C is in a range between 1.9 and 2.2, and is similar to that of the groups B1 and B2.

The aluminum base plates of the group B1 and B2 naturally have a metallic appearance. Also, the optical disc has a metal-like appearance. However, the appearance of the base plate of the groups A1 and A2 is lower than the appearance of the metal base plates of the groups B1 and B2. As such, the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv can be used as an indicator of a metal-like appearance. The glossiness ratio Gp/Gv is used for designing the line pattern 23 so that the surface has a desired metal-like appearance. In the first example embodiment, it is preferable that the base plate 20 has the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv in a range between 1.5 and 2.2.

In this way, various parameters for designing the line pattern 23 are found through the experiments. The glossiness ratio Gp/Gv in the predetermined range between 1.5 and 2.2 provides a quality metal-like appearance. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a desired metal-like appearance in the base plate 20.

For example, an interval (pitch) P between adjacent projections 23 is set in a range between 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, as shown in FIG. 3. Also, a height H of the projections 23 in a direction perpendicular to the surface is set in a range between 10 μm and 20 μm. Here, the interval P is a distance between the tops of adjacent two projections. The height H is a dimension measured from the top of the projection and the bottom of the groove in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the base plate 20.

The glossiness Gv and the glossiness Gp of this base plate 20 are shown by a group D in FIG. 5. In the dial board 2, it is preferable that the glossiness Gv and the glossiness Gp are equal to or lower than 40 so as to reduce glares.

In the combination meter 1, a device (e.g., motor) 4 for rotating a pointer shaft of the pointer 3 and a control device 5 are provided on a rear side of the dial board 2. The rotation device 4 is operated to rotate the pointer shaft for an angle corresponding to an electric signal from an external device, e.g., a signal relative to a vehicle speed.

The pointer shaft is disposed to pass through a through hole formed at a center of the dial board 2. The pointer 3 is rotatably supported at an end of the pointer shaft.

An electric circuit structure of the combination meter 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The control device 5 is constructed of a microcomputer and other devices. The control device 5 is normally supplied with electric power from a battery 7. An ignition switch 6 is connected to the control device 5 in a manner that its operation condition such as on/off positions can be detected. Also, a speed sensor 8 for detecting a speed of the vehicle is connected to the control device 5 in a manner that a detection signal is inputted to the control device 5. Further, the device 4 is connected to the control device 5.

When the ignition switch 7 is turned on, the control device 5 detects the position of the ignition switch 7 and starts operation. The control device 5 calculates the speed of the vehicle based on the output signal from the speed sensor 8 and drives the moving device 4 so that the pointer shaft rotates an angle according to the speed of the vehicle to indicate the speed of the vehicle with the pointer 3.

As described in the above, the metal-like appearance is converted into the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv, and the line pattern 23 is formed such that the surface has a predetermined glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. Namely, the interval P and height of the projections and grooves on the front surface of the base plate 20 are arranged such that the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv of the surface is in the predetermined range (e.g., 1.5 to 2.2). Accordingly, the base plate 20 has a desired metal-like appearance.

In the first example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the line pattern 23 is defined by the projections on the front surface of the base plate 20. The grooves, which are defined between the projections, have flat bottom walls. However, the line pattern 23 can be modified as shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, the line pattern 23 is also defined by projections and grooves. However, the grooves do not have flat bottom walls. Instead, the grooves have a general V-shaped cross-section. The line pattern 23 is defined by sloped walls with respect to a plane of the base plate 20. Accordingly, the metal-like appearance further improves.

A second example embodiment of the present invention will be described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

In the second example embodiment, the line pattern 23 has light transmissivity, i.e., allows light to pass therethrough. For example, the base plate 20 is made of a resin that allows light to pass through, such as polycarbonate so that a whole of the base plate 20 has light transmissivity. Alternatively, the base plate 20 can be formed such that only the projections and grooves have light transmissivity.

Further, the line pattern 23 is formed such that the projections and grooves are arranged at random intervals and have variations in their heights. For example, as shown in FIG. 8. An interval P1 is larger than an interval P2. In FIG. 8, only the intervals P1 and P2 are shown for convenience of illustration. The projections can be formed at any random intervals. For example, the projections can be randomly formed with only two kinds of intervals (P1, P2). Alternatively, the projections can be randomly formed with more than two kind intervals (P1, P2, P3, . . . Pn).

Likewise, the projections are formed with random height in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the line pattern 23. In FIG. 8, the projections have two heights (H1, H2). The heights of the projections have variation more than two (H1, H2).

Since the line pattern 23 defined by the projections and grooves have the light transmissivity, a natural light (external light) is dispersed into a spectrum by a prism effect. Further, the projections and grooves are arranged at random intervals and have the variation in their heights. Therefore, lights having the same color direct in different directions. Accordingly, it is less likely that the intensity of the same color will increase.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the incident light shown by an optical path Q1 is dispersed between optical paths Q11, Q12 by the prism effect of the projections and grooves. In FIG. 9, only the optical paths Q11 and Q12 are illustrated for convenience of illustration. Between the optical path Q11 and the optical path Q12, different colors continuously exist.

Likewise, the incident light shown by an optical path Q2 is dispersed into lights having different colors between optical paths Q21 and Q22. The light on the optical path Q11 has the same color as that of the light on the optical path Q21. Similarly, the light on the optical path Q12 has the same color as that of the light on the optical path Q22.

In the second example embodiment, the intervals and the height of the projections and grooves have random size variations. Thus, the light on the optical path Q11 and the light on the optical path Q21 direct in different directions to each other. Accordingly, it is less likely that the intensity of light having the same color will increase. Likewise, the light on the optical path Q12 and the light on the optical path Q22 direct in different directions to each other. Further, the lights between the optical path Q11 and Q12 direct in different directions from those of the lights between the optical path Q21 and Q 22. Accordingly, it is less likely that the intensity of the same colored lights will increase.

The second example embodiment will be compared to a comparison example shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the line pattern 23 defined by the projections and grooves has light transmissivity. The projections are formed at equal intervals and have equal height.

In FIG. 10, the light on the optical path Q1 is dispersed into a spectrum between an optical path Q11 and an optical path Q12 by the prism effect. Likewise, the light on the optical path Q2 is dispersed into a spectrum between an optical path Q21 and an optical path Q22 by the prism effect.

However, the light on the optical path Q11 and the light on the optical path Q21 direct in the same direction. Accordingly, the intensity of the same colored lights increases. Likewise, the light on the optical path Q12 and the light on the optical path Q22 direct in the same direction. Further, lights between the optical path Q11 and the optical path Q12 direct in the same direction as lights between the optical path Q21 and the optical path Q22. Accordingly, the intensity of the same colored lights increases.

As a result, uneven brightness, which looks like a rainbow pattern, occurs, as shown in FIG. 11. Namely, rainbow belts, which radially extend from the rotation axis of the pointer 3, occur in regions R of FIG. 11. Accordingly, the desired metal-like appearance is likely to be deteriorated.

On the contrary, in the second example embodiment shown in FIG. 9, it is less likely that the intensity of the same colored light will increase. Namely, the lights on the optical paths Q11 through Q22 are randomly interfered, producing the natural light. Accordingly, it is less likely that uneven brightness will occur. As such, the desired metal-like appearance is provided.

In the second example embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, both of the intervals and the heights of the projections are randomly changed in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the line pattern 23 (right and left direction in FIG. 8). However, it is not always necessary to randomly change both of the intervals and the heights. For example, one of the intervals and the heights can be randomly changed.

The intervals of the projections are preferably changed in a range equal to or more than ±50% with respect to the interval P as a reference. When the range of the change is larger, the occurrence of uneven brightness is more effectively reduced. For example, the intervals of the projections are varied in a range equal to or larger than 0.2±0.1 mm (i.e., 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm). Likewise, the heights of the projections are preferably changed in a range equal to or more than ±50% with respect to the height H as a reference.

In the second example embodiments, the line pattern 23 can be formed in manners similar to those of the first example embodiment. Alternatively, the line pattern 23 can be formed as follows. First, the line pattern 23 with the equal intervals P and the equal height H is formed in the base plate 20. Then, the surface of the base plate 20 is processed so that the intervals P and the height H are random. For example, the base plate 20 shown in FIG. 10 can be abraded by using an abrasive material so that the projections and grooves are formed as shown in FIG. 12. A portion denoted by dashed line corresponds to an abraded part. Accordingly, the apexes of the projections have random intervals and random heights.

Further, the line pattern having the random intervals and height are formed by a NC lathe processing (numerical control). Furthermore, the shape of the projections and grooves are not particularly limited. Similar to the first example embodiment, the projections and grooves of the line pattern 23 can have cross-sectional shapes such as a general semi-circular shape or a general rectangular shape, in addition to the general triangular cross-sectional shape.

As shown in FIG. 12, the projections and grooves can have different cross-sectional shapes such as the rectangular shape and triangular shape in the single base plate 20.

In the above described embodiments, the base plate 20 is employed in the dial board 2 of the speed meter. However, the use of the base plate 20 is not limited to the speed meter. The base plate 20 can be employed to another measuring instrument such as a tachometer for showing a rotational speed of an engine, a water temperature gauge, a fuel gauge, and a voltmeter. Further, the use of the base plate 20 is not limited to the vehicle combination meter 1.

In the first example embodiment, the intervals P and the height H are calculated through the examination so that the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv of the base plate 20 is preferably in the range between 1.5 and 2.2, thereby providing the desired metal-like appearance. However, the range of the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv is not always limited to the above range because the metal-like appearance is the sense of sight and may differ depending on ages or distinction of sex. For example, the glossiness ratio Gp/Gv can be in a range between 1.3 and 2.2 or in a range between 1.5 and 2.5.

The example embodiments of the present invention are described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example embodiments, but may be implemented in other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A method of manufacturing a panel having a line pattern defined by projections and grooves: converting a metal-like appearance with lines into a glossiness ratio Gp/Gv, wherein Gp is a glossiness measured in a direction parallel to an axis of at least one line and Gv is a glossiness measured in a direction perpendicular to an axis of at least one line; and deciding an interval between the at least two adjacent projections and a dimension of the at least one projection in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the panel so that the surface of the panel has a predetermined glossiness ratio Gp/Gv.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the panel is made of resin.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the projections and grooves are formed by one of a die transferring using a precision die with projections and grooves, a printing using a printing plate, a hot stamping using a transferring film and a precision die, and a laminate processing. 